isna

Ramadan 1439 (2018)

Ramadan & Eid al Fitr 1439 (2018)

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint.” Qur’an 2: 183

The Fiqh Council of North America has announced that the 1st of Ramadan will be on Wednesday, May 16. FCNA’s decision is based on calculations according to following scientific facts:
  1. Moon is born
  2. Moon is on the horizon in LA for about 26 min. after sunset on May 15, 2018
  3. It is possible to sight the moon by telescope and it will be visible in the evening in Hawaii and the Pacific Polynesian islands.
  4. Moon is not first seen by the people of the East always. Sometimes people of the West can also be the first to see it. Muslim jurists have mentioned this centuries ago. It was known by calculations that this year the people of East will not be able to see the moon on May 15. So there is no surprise.
The decision is in accordance with the criteria accepted by the International Conference of Ulama in Istanbul, the European Council of Fatwa and Research and the Fiqh Council.
The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) recognizes astronomical calculation as an acceptable Shar’i method for determining the beginning of lunar months including the months of Ramadan and Shawwal. FCNA uses the criteria of European Council of Fatwa and Research (ECFR), which are that somewhere on the globe, at the sunset, the elongation should be at least 8 degrees and moon should be at least 5 degrees above the horizon. If this condition is met the month starts the next day, otherwise, the month starts on the day following next. On the basis of this method the dates of Ramadan and Eidul Fitr for the year 1439 AH are established as follows: Ramadan 1439 AH: The Astronomical New Moon is on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 11:47 Universal Time. On that day, somewhere in the Pacific Ocean at sunset, the elongation is 8 degrees and moon is 5 degrees above the sun. Therefore the first day of Ramadan 1439 is on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, insha’Allah. First Tarawih prayer will be on Tuesday night. Eid ul-Fitr 1439 AH: The Astronomical New Moon is on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at 19:43 Universal Time. On that day there is no place on earth where at sunset the elongation is 8 degrees and moon is 5 degrees above the sun. Therefore, Shawwal cannot start the next day. Hence, the first day of Shawwal 1439 is on Friday, June 15, 2018, insha’Allah. May Allah (swt) keep us on the right path and accept our fasting and prayers. Ameen. For more detailed information, please visit: www.fiqhcouncil.org or www.moonsighting.com Fiqh Council of North America